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A Woman Lawyer Exposes Some Disgusting Abuses Of Sri Lankan Justice System

A woman lawyer has exposed the utterly confused, silly, and sad situation that prevails in some of the courts, which she had been practicing for over seven years. It is a revealing speech, which shows the lowest depths that the justice system in Sri Lanka is faced with. She exposes some of the judges and also lawyers including some members of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka.

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For example, she, Sugandhika Fernando,speaks of going to a court where she found that three people applying lime on the head and the foot of judge because the judge has come to court too drunk, and that to revive him before the court sessions. Then she gives details of long series of events, which are highly scandalous and shameful.

There certainly is something radically wrong in the judicial system and also the manner in which legal profession is practiced in many parts of the country. She gives examples of corruption, sexual exploitation of clients and even junior lawyers by some seniors, and also how lawyers collaborate with police men in corrupt practices.

What is important is that she and few others are speaking about these things loudly. However, in the private sphere, many lawyers and clients, and people who know about the facts in the courts have same type of tale to tell from all around Sri Lanka.

What is even more saddening is in a manner in which some of the present leaders of the Bar Association are behaving, ignoring all these criticisms and even attacking the critics for reasons, which are far from honorable.

It is to be hoped that more people will begin to articulate like this lady-lawyer has done and also some other lawyers. In addition, a protest movement develops to explore the rotten aspects of justice sector, which is so vital for proper functioning of society.

All this corruption and demeaning behavior implies that people at large are denied of opportunities for justice, and that people will therefore have little trust in this kind of system. (By Asian Human Rights Commission)

Latest comments

edwin rodrigo/April 26, 2018

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Sughandika Rescue Fund: All these jackals who are cheering her on to self destruction must be those who swam across the Palk Strait. Not a rupee has been sent in by anyone. I have deposited my own money as a start that is it.

Lip service is not enough you swimmers send the contributions in or just shut up without doing further damage to this foolish lady.

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G.N. Samaranayake/April 29, 2018

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The language that you used to encourage contributions to such a fund is discouraging the potential contributors.

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From Melbourne./April 26, 2018

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It is important to expose lapses in the system. Misconduct is common everywhere in the world. I live in Australia. For Australian lawyers professional conduct rules are so detailed and within the last 13 years, there were two reforms whereas in Sri Lanka I don’t think anything as such has happened in the last 75 yrs or so. Sadly slim resources in Sri Lanka would not have allowed such reforms. We should not blame, accuse people without giving hand in various ways to upgrade the laws in line with organised systems. It is not correct to accuse people point blankly without proper surveys and statistics and proven records. A politician in a develop country would not make a such blank statement like Ranjan Ramanayake so confidently representing that he is the authority in releasing such a statement to the media. There is a justice system, anything not proven is political gossip. Some make it an opportunity to score political fame. Every subject of the country is entitled to due administration of justice in a democratic system. Media and facebook gossip should not form the basis for accountability. This lady’s talents in speech are unarguable. However I sadly notice that although she wants justice, she is biased in defending Mr Ranjan Ramanayake and she is not worried about accountability standards in a democratic system in making a such statement as the one made by Mr Ramanayake . She is frustrated about the judges. If there are no proper laws dealing with misconduct (such as removal from office), those who live abroad could decently contribute to upgrade them. Nothing can be achieved with hatred. However, years ago I was trained under a Sri Lankan lawyer who had a flawless ethical reputation and was known as a born gentleman.

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From Melbourne/April 26, 2018

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It is important to expose lapses in the system. Misconduct is common everywhere in the world. I live in Australia. For Australian lawyers professional conduct rules are so detailed and within the last 13 years, there were two reforms whereas in Sri Lanka I don’t think anything as such has happened in the last 75 yrs or so. Sadly slim resources in Sri Lanka would not have allowed such reforms. We should not blame, accuse people without giving hand in various ways to upgrade the laws in line with organised systems. It is not correct to accuse people point blankly without proper surveys and statistics and proven records. A politician in a develop country would not make a such blank statement like Ranjan Ramanayake so confidently representing that he is the authority in releasing such a statement to the media. There is a justice system, anything not proven is political gossip. Some make it an opportunity to score political fame. Every subject of the country is entitled to due administration of justice in a democratic system. Media and facebook gossip should not form the basis for accountability. This lady’s talents in speech are unarguable. However I sadly notice that although she wants justice, she is biased in defending Mr Ranjan Ramanayake and she is not worried about accountability standards in a democratic system in making a such statement as the one made by Mr Ramanayake . She is frustrated about the judges. If there are no proper laws dealing with misconduct (such as removal from office), those who live abroad could decently contribute to upgrade them. Nothing can be achieved with hatred. However, years ago I was trained under a Sri Lankan lawyer who had a flawless ethical reputation and was known as a born gentleman.

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The Sinopian/April 27, 2018

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Well said

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Mathew Panabokke/April 27, 2018

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A lawyer called Premanath Dolawatte has gone on the attack in Sugandhika at a public meeting in Colombo . Corrupt to the core, every evil Sugandhika stated about corrupt lawyers is inbeded him, so I am not surprised he has gotten so upset. Disregard him Sugandhika Disregard him.

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Mahen/April 28, 2018

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Well done Sugandika. You are so brave to expose these corrupt and heartless judges, lawyers, police officers and other officers. I am one who returned to Sri Lanka with loads of qualifications and experience to develop the country. I failed miserably because I wasn’t prepared to give bribes and left Sri Lanka penniless. I am trying to keep my nose above water now, financially and I will give my support to Sugandika in anyway possible. Sri Lanka has to find another Lee Kwan Yue and I don’t have much hope seeing what is happening.

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